Ensuring that Scots are able to
get the most out of old age and continue to contribute to society, is
the focus of a strategy launched today by First Minister Jack McConnell
and Communities Minister Rhona Brankin.
The Executive strategy, entitled
All Our Futures: Planning for a Scotland with an Ageing Population,
outlines long-term plans to meet the existing and future challenges of
Scotland’s changing population.
By 2031 the number of people
aged over 50 in Scotland is expected to rise by 28 per cent and those
over 75 to increase by 75 per cent.
McConnell said: "Improving the
quality of life for older people and creating opportunities for us as a
country to benefit from their experience, is what this strategy is all
about. We need to break down barriers between generations and we need
to ensure that services are in place so that people can live life to
the full as they grow older.”
"We must stop seeing our ageing
population as a burden. We need to think about the opportunities it can
offer both socially and economically."
The strategy follows one of the most extensive consultation and engagement processes ever undertaken by Scottish Executive.
The consultation identified six
priority areas for action: improving opportunities and removing
barriers; forging better links between the generations; improving and
maintaining health and well being; improving care, support and
protection for those older people; developing housing, transport and
planning services; and offering learning opportunities throughout life.
The Executive has allocated £27
million to support the strategy, and this includes the establishment of
a National Forum on Ageing to develop the strategy and a new Scottish
Centre for Intergenerational Practice to improve links between young
and old.
Through the strategy, additional
funding of £14 million in 2007-08 will be made on fuel poverty
programmes, including the Central Heating Programme.
£10 million of funding has also
been allocated in 2007-08 to help homeowners adapt their homes to meet
their changing needs. This will help older people stay in their homes
and communities for longer.
Communities Minister Rhona
Brankin said: "As the population ages, and the proportion of older
people increases, we want to be sure that Scotland can benefit from the
experience of older people.”
"This is not about making people
work until they drop. This is about identifying and removing the
barriers that prevent people doing what they want as they get older,
whether that is paid work, volunteering, or pursuing other
opportunities to enrich their lives and communities.
"We can already be proud of the
better services for older people - free central heating, free personal
care and free local bus travel. These are major achievements of
devolution. But more needs to be done.
"This strategy sets a challenge
for the next 20 years. We are entering a new era for ageing well in
Scotland and we need the help of local authorities, public agencies,
education bodies, the private sector and voluntary sector, to make this
strategy a success."
Lord Sutherland of Houndwood,
who chaired the Scottish Parliament's Futures Forum's recent study into
the ageing population, said: "There is a positive side to growing old.
The Scottish Executive has recognised this and proposes to act. Some
older people need care and the Scottish Parliament has responded
creditably.
"For the majority, however, what
is required is opportunity to flourish and contribute to the wider
community. The Executive has taken Futures Forum recommendations on
board. This could be another example of Scotland in the vanguard."
The strategy has been welcomed
by older people's charities and groups such as Age Concern Scotland,
Help the Aged and the Scottish Pensioners' Forum.
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